The Most Impractical Holiday Ever
Silence, sweet sweet silence filled the library home, still dim in the early morning hours. A solid oak door opened with a slight creak, a cautious young dragon slipping through. Creeping silently to the bed that lay within, holding a cylindrical device in one clawed hand. Lifting the tube of metal up to the still form in the bed and pressing the button after bracing himself.
HOOONK! "GAAH!" Twilight yipped as she tumbled off her bed at the rude awakening. "Spike! What in Celestia's name was that for?" But the culprit had already fled the scene giggling and shouting something about happy foals. She'd have to talk to him about this later. It was a little early for her number one assistant to be waking her up, but the day was rather beautiful from what she could see out her window. After a light breakfast and a quick check at her schedule, the purple unicorn decided to enjoy walk in the fresh morning air.
But joy was the last thing on her list, even if she didn't know it yet. For just as she was about to head off and taking a big gulp of air, SPLAT! SMACK! Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, popped out from the bushes and smacked two lemon meringue pies to each side of her head like cymbals. Twilight just stood there stunned and trying to hold back the anger flaring up at being assaulted for the second time today.
The the pie tins sliding off falling to the ground leaving a shell of squishy yellow pie filling. shaking off the revolting stuff, the grimace she revealed at being covered in the one pie that was completely revolting to her, sent the prank team into a laughing frenzy. Running off to wreak more havoc some where else before the oblivious unicorn could recover. "What's wrong with everypony? First Spike wakes me up with a blaring fog horn to the ear, now these two shove pie in my face! I hope none of the others have reverted into foals also", Twilight mumbled to herself, as she headed into the market area of town to get something to remove the taste of meringue from her mouth.
Spying Applejack at her apple stall, the grossed out mare trotted over inspecting the more sugary treats on the cart. "Howdy Twilight, whatcha lookin for?" Asked the friendly farmer, as Twilight looked hungrily at a chocolate covered caramel apple.
"something to rid me of the taste those pies Rainbow and Pinkie smothered my face with", she said with a scowl. Knowing that her friend had no idea what was going on, Applejack handed over the treat Twilight had been looking at and collected the bits the unicorn laid on the counter.
"well, this 'ill do the trick mighty fast", a knowing smile crossed her face, but vanished too quickly for her friend to notice. Turning to leave and thanking her earthpony friend, Twilight bit into the apple expecting a rush of sweet sugary goodness. What she got, was the bitter taste of cooking chocolate. Spluttering and clawing at her mouth frantically to remove the unwanted confection, was proving to be more difficult than desired. Because the chocolate was covering caramel, witch in turn, stuck to the roof of the panicking ponies mouth.
One quickly purchased mug of cider later. "Applejack! What is going on? Everypony is acting like Pinkie Pie on her most childish day ever!"
"Well Twi, it's because today is April first. Also known as April foals day, it's when everypony plays pranks on one another for fun!" Explained the beaming farmer.
Twilight just stared incredulously, "What? There's a holiday just to play pranks on each other? That's...that's just impractical!".
"It ain't a full blown holiday, just an excuse to have some fun is all. Ah'm just glad you didn't choose the fritter!" Applejack said conspiratorially. Twilight looked at her worriedly, not wanting to think what might possibly be inside the innocent looking pasty.
With her walk officially ruined, Twilight began to trot back home to the library. about halfway back she ran into Rarity. Literally. The white unicorn was rounding a corner with a pile of boxes, for some reason, floating in front of her effectively blocking her view. The two ponies collided sending boxes and rolls of paper everywhere. "Oh I'm so sorry dear, I was just trying to make sure I had everything. I'm working on a new dress, as usual."
"That's ok Rarity, I should have seen you there. How is the dress coming along?"
"Simply fabulous!... Idea! You should come with me, I need too see how it will look on somepony." Rarity said the last part as if an after thought.
"Well, I kinda need to get back and start a schedule for the week." Twilight said, thinking of some things she would need for a prank of her own. If it were pranks they wanted, it would be pranks they were gonna get.
"Oh but I simply insist. I want to get this done now and there's nopony else around to model at the moment. You must."
"But I got to-"
" You MUST!"
"I-" "must."
"Sigh...fine."
A few minuets later they arrived at carousel boutique. Twilight waited in the entry way while Rarity put the finishing touches on her new dress. "Alright darling you come in now!" Rarity called from the dressing room. What Twilight found was dazzling white dress that looked like a very fancy wedding gown. It was covered in bows and ribbons of all sorts. And diamonds, diamonds everywhere! No other jewel was to be found, just diamonds.
Twilight gazed upon Rarity's latest masterpiece, "Wow Rarity, you've really outdone yourself, again!"
"why thank you Twilight, I wasn't really sure about the amount ribbons at first but it turned out alright. Now then, let's see if this will fit you." With that the two unicorns began a surprisingly long process to get Twilight into the dress. Many small adjustments were made here and there but finally they were set.
By this time, the main room had been occupied by Twilight and Rarity's friends, quietly awaiting the reveal of the new dress. Rainbow Dash, having finished weather duty early, was the first to arrive. Not ten minuets had passed before she started to zip around the place looking at everything trying to find something to pas the time. Apple Jack, who was persuaded by her brother that he could get all of today's chores done without her, was the next to show up. After being nearly knocked over by a blur of rainbows, proceeded to lasso the fidgety pegasus to a chair in order to keep her from breaking anything.
"Alright everypony settle down! We're ready to begin!" came the slightly muffled call from behind the viewing curtain. The lights dimmed, a lone spotlight on the center of the stage like rise. Rarity walked out in her best stage saunter, turning toward the small gathering of ponies. Horn igniting in her signature fashion show entrance, a sweet, bouncing pop version of here comes the bride, began to play as the stage was showered in white ribbons and sparkling diamonds. Cascading and landing softly into place on Twilight's flowing white train, leading up to rather poofy shoulders. A diamond halo resting on her head, veil likewise flowing down her neck the front of witch was pulled back to stay out of her face.
After sauntering out to the edge of the stage, no where near as fluid as Rarity's, Twilight turned this way and that showing off the expensive looking bridal dress. "Pull down the veil Twilight" fluttershy called out, wanting to see how it was meant to look. Sliding the veil down her eyes and across her mouth, Twilight peered out from under it with a half lidded expression like the models she'd seen in fancy catalogs that the purple mare would sometimes sneak in when Spike wasn't looking.
No sooner than the veil touched her nose, however, she suddenly felt the urge t-"ACHOO!" The sneeze powdered veil sent the startled lavender unicorn into a frenzy, sneezing and coughing whenever her breathing pulled more of the fine powder off it's light grip on the veil. "You're al-CHOO, going to pay ACHOO, for thi-i-is!" The gathering of ponies erupted into laughter, falling on each other and scrambling for the door as steam began rising from the victim's ears. Twilight's horn glowed a light purple as she ripped off the evil dress, flinging it across the room at the fleeing ponies.
One hour later
Something strange was going on in Ponyville, and a small gathering of ponies new it. Bon Bon, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinky Pie, were all gathered in town hall to present their encounters to the grey maned Mayor Mare. "So, I was just flying by, practicing my signature moves," Rainbow began, "when I noticed Derpy delivering some mail."
"What's wrong with making a simple delivery Rainbow Dash?" Asked a confused mayor.
"You don't understand, she MADE a delivery, no fumbling or cramming letters in ways that letters aren't supposed to bend. She had a perfect run, perfect landing and take off. She even took time to find the correct letters for that specific mailbox. She saw me watching her and waved, her eyes, were, strait!"
"That isn't even the half of it", Bon Bon took the lead. "I was just starting to put together some ingredients for my famous bon bons. Lyra came downstairs and I asked her to give me a hand. She just walked over and said sure. Lyra, MY Lyra, would never pass up an opportunity like that to make a joke about not having hands!"
Worried looks were exchanged as each pony there told similar tales. "I'm afraid this can only mean one thing", The Mayor decided. "I am declaring Ponyville a war zone! The changelings are here! Rarity, take this letter to Spike, have him send it to Princess Celestia immediately! Every pony else, observe and take note of everypony that might be a changeling. And inform those who you know for sure are not. The fate of equestria may very well rest in your hooves!"
Night was falling when the royal sister's chariot was seen speeding for town. The two allicorn princesses decided they both might be needed if things got out of control. Without their escort and only the two solar guards pulling the chariot. They were trying to make it look like social visit, so as not to alert the swarm of changelings that they knew of the hidden army. And besides, it took a while to assemble an army. All they needed to do was stall.
"Good evening my little ponies, lovely to see you again." Princess Celestia addressed the small gathering, in an all too gentle voice. The group of those who knew of the threat had not grown very big. In the time it took the Princesses to snag two guards and fly off to the small town with a hasty order to the captains to prepare the soldiers for war.
"What is the situation, Mayor?" Princess Luna inquired.
"So far we have been able to identify several ponies who have been replaced by changelings. but we're still not sure how many others can be trusted."
"Very well then, keep this information to thy selves. We do not want to reveal our purpose for being here just yet." The Mayor escorted the two princesses and their guards to the town hall while the others began to disperse. A few minuets later a booming voice was heard throughout the town. Though indistinct in the further areas of Ponyville, it was loud enough to spark interest throughout the town.
"Come one, come all and hear the great and observant Trixie!" Every pony had gathered in Town Square, drawn to Trixie's booming stage voice. "Trixie may not be as great as she once thought, but she is still powerful enough to recognize a fake when she sees one! And there are many among you!" She proclaimed, bringing many gasps from the gathering.
"Silence Trixie! There is no cause for alarm my little ponies, go home, all of you." Celestia attempted to calm the citizens, and prevent from provoking the changelings. But as she was speaking ponies seemingly at random started to spurt into flame, transforming into a horrid twist of pony insects. Their green wings, frayed at the ends buzzing. Black exoskeletons and legs full of holes. Ponies began screaming scattering in panic. Celestia retrieved a chest from the chariot, opening to reveal the elements of harmony. Legendary talismans once used to imprison Princess Luna on the moon when she was the dreaded Nightmare Moon. But before they were all distributed, Twilight Sparkle, burst into flame. Revealing a changeling in her place.
Just as quickly as it had started, it stopped. Changelings everywhere just vanished! And the only sound left, was Trixie, rolling on the stage with gut wrenching laughter! "BWAhahaha! Oh, ah ha, you should see the looks on your faces! HA hahaha heh, heh, oh sigh!" Ponies everywhere stood, dumbfounded. slowly making their way back to the center of town.
"wha- What is going on Trixie!?!" Rainbow Dash demanded, just as confused as everypony else.
"You- were all- pranked!" The show mare struggled, still fighting back laughter. just then a large magical screen appeared, showing a gathering of all the ponies who went "missing".
"Happy April Foals Day!"
The gathering shouted, standing around Twilight who floated in the air above a circle filled with lines and mystical symbols, on her basement floor. Her horn was ignited, several old looking books floating around her. "Twilight Sparkle. What have you done?" Princess Celestia said, quickly regaining her composure.
"I just borrowed some old books from Zecora, rigged this little setup to give me enough power to safely generate and control so many illusions at the same time. Then sent a fake me to recruit others to imitate, telling them to come here immediately. Purposefully making them do things out of character so you would think of changeling invasion, then reveal it as a prank. But what I don't know is how did Trixie know?" Twilight casually stated, looking over in Trixie's direction.
"Oh please." The blue unicorn remarked. "You were using so many illusions, the masterful illusionist Trixie was surprised she did not sense your spell sooner. As soon as she entered Ponyville she could have pointed out each and every phony pony. Illusion magic is her strongest and most powerful skill after all." "Right." Twilight said meekly, blushing slightly at how obvious it was. "When the great and prankful Trixie realistic what was going on, she decided to join in the fun and send the prank into higher levels of greatness. I'm also surprised that you, Princess Celestia, have failed to notice Princess Luna is also, an illusion!" The princess' eyes widened, her pupils growing small for moment as the princess of the night laughed and blew away like dust on the wind, along with both solar guards.
With the "crisis" averted, and ponies finally starting to calm down, six friends gathered in the local library to discus the day's events. "So, that was all a prank huh?" Rainbow asked slowly.
"Yeah, I'm a little upset with the fact that it put the royal guard on high alert. But you should have seen your faces! It was worth it just for that!"
"Yeah, first you were like WHAT? Then you were like AAAAHHH! Then like huh? It was hilarious!"
"Pinkie, you doing the same thing." The Purple unicorn pointed out.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the looks on Dashie's face just as much you!" Twilight rolled her eyes and decided to leave it alone, there was no point trying to understand the pink mare.
"I know you were the victim of my bridal sneeze veil, but what did you think of it as a prank Twilight?"
"If it weren't on me I'd say it would be rather funny. But did erverypony have to target ME today?"
"Well shucks surgarcube, after Spike asked me-n Big Mac what we were all doing collecting gag materials a few days ago, we told him it was for April Foals Day. And he was like, April what now? As if he'd never heard of it before, witch he said he hadn't and you neither. So we told him all about it. After word spread that You and Spike had never heard of it before, ah'm surprised all of ponyville didn't do something to you at one point or another." Applejack explained.
"Well, at least that explains the fog horn this morning. You did tell him it was only for today right!?!" Twilight asked, a little panicked at the thought of waking up every morning to the sound of a blaring, point blank fog horn.
After an hour or so of sharing old stories of the best pranks many laughs, the group of friends dispersed. Each heading back to their respective homes. Imagining the fun activity's and encounters the following days might bring.
Author's Note
If anypony has some cover art that would be appropriate, please let me know.
